The Florida real estate market is experiencing a significant shift, with substantial price reductions sweeping across the state, sparking concerns among analysts about a potential downturn in the Sunshine State’s housing sector.

A quick glance at property listings reveals steep discounts, sometimes reaching into the millions, as sellers rush to offload properties before values dip further.

In the Tampa Bay region, which includes Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, a report from Realtor.com in March highlighted that price drops were evident in one out of every four listings.

Joel Berner, a senior economist with Realtor.com, shared with the Daily Mail that he observed an $18 million price reduction on a sprawling 15-bedroom mansion in Palm Beach.

Although this cut represents just a 10 percent decrease, bringing the asking price down to $157 million, Berner remarked that such significant reductions are unprecedented in his experience.

‘It’s pretty crazy, and it signals that demand for Florida homes is softer than it’s been for a while,’ said Berner.

Another Zillow listing shows a $255,000 price cut on a luxury home in Spring Hill, bringing the asking price to just under $2 million. 

‘The affordability crisis has caught up to sellers in the Sunshine State, and they can no longer command the same kind of prices they could in previous years,’ said Berner.

Sellers cut the asking price on this 15-bedroom Palm Beach property by $18 million

Joel Berner, a senior economist at Realtor.com

And it’s not just luxury homes – the same trend appears to be spreading to the middle market as well.

For example, a listing shared on X shows a $35,000 price cut on a two-bedroom, 1,442 sq ft apartment in West Palm Beach, dropping the asking price to $190,000.

Berner said the situation has been triggered by years of high mortgage rates and the slow comedown from the ‘post-pandemic buying frenzy that threw many markets completely out of whack’. 

But if you’re a cash-rich buyer, the current climate could work in your favor.

‘It’s a great time to be a capable buyer, especially if you have cash and can avoid borrowing at high rates,’ Berner told the Daily Mail.

We spoke with real estate experts who said the Florida property crisis was driven in part by soaring HOA fees and mounting special assessments, many of which were introduced after the 2021 Surfside condominium collapse, which killed 98 people. 

Stricter safety laws now require milestone inspections and fully funded reserves, exposing years of deferred maintenance in older buildings.

So even as property prices fall, buyers are still facing high HOA costs and additional fees that can significantly increase the total cost of ownership. 

A modest two-bedroom apartment in this West Palm Beach complex saw a $35,000 price cut

Alessandra Stivelman, a Florida real estate attorney

One commenter on X complained that while Florida condo prices have plummeted, ‘it’s still not enough.’

‘HOA fees of $900 to $2,000 a month, plus taxes, and you’re still getting hit with five-and six-figure special assessments – they’re literally worthless,’ wrote the commenter.

Regarding the two-bedroom Zillow listing, another commenter wrote ‘And then this $190k purchase price comes with a $2,300 monthly HOA fee – Welcome to Florida!’

Industry professionals say rising fees have become a widespread challenge. 

Alessandra Stivelman, a Florida real estate and community association attorney, told the Daily Mail it has become increasingly common for condo owners to face large special assessments and sharply rising monthly association fees.

‘It’s a real problem in Florida,’ said Stivelman. ‘For many owners, particularly retirees on fixed incomes, the increases are not sustainable.’

Florida real estate expert Katrin Pfitzenreiter told the Daily Mail that these costs can sometimes reach six figures, leaving homeowners financially strained.

While many older condo owners struggle, demand remains strong in the ultra-luxury segment, including new high-rise developments and waterfront estates

‘One of the most jarring examples I’ve come across was a Florida condo building facing a proposed $30 million special assessment, which broke down to well over $100,000 per unit,’ she said.

Stivelman said the problem has become systemic across much of Florida’s aging coastal housing stock, with rising insurance premiums compounding the pressure. 

In some cases, owners are falling behind on payments, leading to delinquencies and even foreclosures.

At the same time, a stark divide is emerging: While many older condo owners struggle, demand remains strong in the ultra-luxury market, including new high-rise developments and waterfront estates. 

‘That’s a very narrow slice of the market,’ said Stivelman, with many residents being pushed inland or out of state.

Experts warn Florida could be a bellwether for other coastal markets, including California and New York, where aging buildings and climate-related insurance costs pose similar risks.

Over the long term, the reforms are expected to produce safer, more financially stable buildings. But for now, the market is undergoing a painful reset. 

‘We’re seeing a repricing of condo ownership in coastal Florida, and that adjustment is still ongoing,’ said Stivelman. 

This luxury home in Spring Hill saw a $255,000 price cut, taking the asking price to $2 million

Some analysts insist it’s not all doom and gloom for Florida real estate.

Nadia Evangelou, principal economist at the National Association of Realtors, told the Daily Mail the shift is giving buyers more room to negotiate in fast-adjusting markets.

‘For buyers, this means a bit more flexibility on price,’ said Evangelou, who also warned that sellers face a tougher environment where ‘getting the pricing right matters more than ever.’

Berner advised sellers to be ‘realistic about pricing.’

‘Don’t start too high and then walk it back over weeks or months,’ he said. ‘Price to sell from the beginning, based on recent comparable sales.’

Homes that hit the market at the correct price are moving ‘five times faster’ than those that don’t, said Evangelou, underscoring how sensitive demand has become.

Like Berner, she believes the market changes are largely driven by the post-pandemic reset, with many other areas seeing a sharp rebound in housing supply after years of surging demand.

Evangelou suggested the slowdown is ‘more of a normalization’ than the start of a deeper downturn.

A tragic stabbing incident inside a San Francisco hospital has left one man dead, stirring controversy as federal immigration officials blame California’s sanctuary policies and recent border decisions by the Biden administration as contributing factors.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has made an urgent appeal to Governor Gavin Newsom and other state authorities, urging them not to release the suspect. The suspect, a Venezuelan national illegally residing in the U.S., had previously been detained and released by Border Patrol.

Wilfredo Jose Tortolero-Arriechi is charged with the fatal stabbing of 51-year-old Alberto Rangel at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital on December 4. Rangel succumbed to his injuries on December 6, two days after the attack.

The Department of Homeland Security reports that ICE has filed a detainer request to ensure Tortolero-Arriechi remains in custody. This request is now caught in a complex legal situation, as California has frequently been at odds with federal immigration enforcement policies.

Alberto Rangel, aged 51, was fatally attacked on December 4, 2025, inside Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. (Department of Homeland Security)

“If it weren’t for the Biden administration’s reckless open-border policies, Alberto Rangel would still be alive,” Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement, directly tying the killing to federal immigration policy. She also called on Newsom to ensure the suspect is not released, blasting sanctuary policies that she says “put American lives at risk.”

The suspect had reportedly displayed alarming behavior in the weeks leading up to the attack, allegedly threatening hospital staff and his own doctor before the deadly stabbing unfolded.

Wilfredo Jose Tortolero-Arriechi, a Venezuelan national in the U.S. illegally, is charged in the fatal stabbing of Alberto Rangel at a San Francisco hospital. (Department of Homeland Security)

Federal officials say Tortolero-Arriechi was first encountered by U.S. Border Patrol in 2023 and then released into the country. The case is adding new fuel to the fight over California’s sanctuary policies.

Earlier this year, ICE revealed that more than 33,000 criminal illegal immigrants are currently in custody across California with active detainers, including individuals accused or convicted of serious crimes such as homicide, sexual assault and drug trafficking.

Despite that, officials say thousands have been released.

Since January 2026 alone, California jurisdictions have declined to honor ICE detainers in more than 4,500 cases, according to the agency. Those releases included individuals tied to dozens of homicides, hundreds of assaults and a wide range of other violent and drug-related offenses, ICE said.

The latest push from federal officials builds on earlier warnings. In February, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons sent a letter to California Attorney General Rob Bonta urging him to “put the safety of Americans first” by honoring detainers for more than 33,000 criminal illegal immigrants in state custody.

Lyons warned that “no community serious about keeping its residents safe will tolerate a clear aberration of the law,” pressing California officials to cooperate with ICE and take “the worst of the worst off the streets.”

Meanwhile, Alberto Rangel’s death is now being used by federal officials to underscore what they argue are the real-world consequences of those policies.

California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is being criticized by angel mother Agnes Gibboney (far right), whose son, Ronald da Silva, was killed by an illegal immigrant gang member in 2002. (Carlin Stiehl/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images; White House)

Newsom’s office pushed back on that characterization, saying the state’s approach prioritizes accountability and public safety.

“If someone commits a serious crime, they should be held accountable in our justice system,” a spokesperson for Newsom’s office told Fox News Digital. “Allowing someone to evade responsibility simply by being deported undermines the rule of law and completely disrespects the victims harmed by that crime. Our focus must always be to ensure those who commit violent acts face their consequences here.”

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Jan. 20, 2026, that a criminal illegal alien allegedly weaponized his vehicle to ram law enforcement officers in Compton, Calif., in an attempt to evade arrest. (KTTV)

The governor’s office also pointed to California’s record of cooperating with federal immigration authorities in certain cases, noting that, since 2019, the state has coordinated the transfer of more than 12,000 individuals, including those convicted of serious and violent crimes, into ICE custody.

Officials added that state law allows coordination with ICE for individuals convicted of serious felonies or those facing credible charges, and said California does not interfere with federal immigration enforcement.

They also argued that federal authorities do not always take custody of individuals when detainers are issued, claiming ICE fails to pick up roughly one in eight people released from state prisons who have immigration holds.

Tortolero-Arriechi remains in custody at the San Francisco County Jail, where he faces homicide and weapons charges, as pressure mounts on California leaders over whether they will comply with federal requests to keep him there.

In a statement issued after his death in December 2025, SEIU Local 521 Chief Elected Officer Riko Mendez said, “Our hearts are with the family, friends, and coworkers of Alberto Rangel,” remembering him as a dedicated social worker.

In a chilling encounter, a gunman ominously declared, “this is where I do business,” before opening fire on a group in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, as reported by the Los Angeles Police Department to The California Post.

The incident unfolded around 7 p.m. near the crossroads of Sixth Street and San Julian Street, sparking an ongoing manhunt for the assailant.

According to investigators, the suspect approached the northeast corner of San Julian Street, uttered the disturbing remark, and then discharged his weapon at two men and a woman.

The trio of victims sustained injuries and were promptly transported to a medical facility by emergency responders.

Officials have confirmed that all three individuals are currently in stable condition.

The suspect fled northbound on foot and remains at large. Police said they did not immediately have a description.

Two of the victims are believed to be homeless.

Authorities said it is still unclear whether the shooting was gang-related.

Mark Sanford, a former governor, has concluded his attempt at a political resurgence, years after his career was sidetracked due to an unannounced trip to Argentina with his mistress.

At 65, Sanford had submitted the necessary documents just before the March 30 deadline to compete in the June 9 Republican primary for South Carolina’s first congressional district.

However, by Thursday, he withdrew from the race, indicating his desire to concentrate on battling the national debt through a grassroots initiative.

“I plan to start small, but I am fortunate to have a substantial network of friends and contacts where I hold some influence,” Sanford shared with the Associated Press.

Sanford’s time as South Carolina governor from 2003 to 2011 was marred by his infamous affair, which cast a shadow over his political journey.

In June 2009, Sanford seemingly disappeared without notice, only for it to be revealed that he had traveled to Argentina to be with his mistress.

Sanford survived an impeachment inquiry and calls to resign, leaving office at the end of his term.

His then–wife Jenny Sanford later filed for divorce after moving out of the governor’s mansion in Columbia with their four sons.

Mark Sanford, 65, dropped his latest comeback bid and claimed that he would instead focus on a ‘grassroots organization’ dedicated to battling the national debt

Sanford’s rising political career was marked by an affair with an Argentine mistress, Maria Belen Chapur (right), while he was South Carolina governor

Ten other Republicans are vying to become the GOP’s candidate for South Carolina’s first congressional district, according to WCSC.

That includes John McGrath, Christen Norrman, Dan Brown, Jay Byars, Logan Cunningham, Tyler Dykes, Sam McCown, Cindy Riley, Jenny Costa Honeycutt and Alex Pelbath.

Nancy Mace, the incumbent since January 2021, is running for South Carolina governor.

Sanford said he felt like he would be unable to impact debt–related issues if elected to Congress since his focus would have to be much wider.

‘There are no guarantees with life, but I think that this has a better chance of elevating that issue, if I worked earnestly on it, than I was going to with the course that I was on with the campaign,’ he added.

Sanford did not close the door on a return to politics, though he suggested such a move was unlikely.

‘Look, if there’s ever a guy who would say, ‘Never say never,’ it’s me,’ he said. ‘But I think, realistically, yeah, and it’s recognition of that being the case.’

Sanford added that he wanted to spend more time with his family, with his first grandchild expected soon.

After serving as governor, Sanford had staged a partial comeback by returning to Congress, but lost the seat in 2018.

An unsuccessful presidential primary challenge in 2019 against Donald Trump seemingly spelled the end of his political prospects.

Sanford said he imagined his grassroots project to be ‘a Turning Point USA exclusively focused on our nation’s unsustainable debt’

Sanford got engaged to his mistress, Maria Belen Chapur, but their engagement was called off in 2014

Sanford also explained that Trump had been a factor in the process that led to him dropping out of the race.

‘He has a very long memory toward people who haven’t kissed the ring,’ Sanford told the Post and Courier.

Sanford added: ‘He doesn’t drive this decision, but I’ve always been aware of that contingent liability – and it’s real.’

He further explained his decision in a self–penned article published Thursday on the outlet, saying that ‘service takes different forms at different times.’

Sanford said the debt and deficit would ‘ultimately crush affordability and the American dream for the next generation.’

He will be able to use the more than $1.3 million that remained in his federal account since leaving Congress in 2019 for his grassroots project.

‘Imagine a Turning Point USA exclusively focused on our nation’s unsustainable debt,’ Sanford wrote.

He referred to the NRA and AIPAC, which he called ‘two of the most effective voices I saw in Washington over the years.’

‘Why not a grassroots team dedicated to simply limiting the size of our federal government’s plate?’ Sanford said. ‘Such a group would have the potential to reshape the incentives that currently drive fiscal policy in Washington.’

Sanford had filed paperwork just before the March 30 deadline to run in the June 9 Republican primary for South Carolina’s first congressional district

Olivia Nuzzi’s ex–fiancé Ryan Lizza claimed she cheated on him by ‘sleeping with’ Sanford

Sanford eventually got engaged to his mistress, Maria Belen Chapur, whom he called his ‘soul mate.’ However, he called off the engagement in 2014. 

On top of Sanford’s extramarital affair in Argentina, the Republican lawmaker was been accused in November of ‘sleeping with’ disgraced journalist Olivia Nuzzi.

Ryan Lizza, a former Politico journalist and Nuzzi’s ex–fiance, claimed she was involved with Sanford years before her ‘digital affair’ with now–Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr.

Lizza claimed he had found a love note Nuzzi had allegedly written to ‘a famous politician, 32 years older than Olivia, and well–known for a sex scandal.’

That was allegedly Sanford, whom Nuzzi had profiled for New York Magazine when he launched his 2020 presidential bid.

‘If I swallowed every drop of water from the tower above your house, I would still thirst for you,’ Nuzzi allegedly wrote to Sanford.

He wrote that Nuzzi told him she became ‘infatuated’ with Sanford after covering him for New York Magazine, eventually sending him ‘increasingly risqué pictures and texts.’

He also alleged Nuzzi and Sanford ‘consummated’ their relationship at the ex–governor’s home ‘one night after she went dark on me and made up a story about how she was dealing with a crisis concerning her sick mother.’

The Daily Mail has reached out to Sanford for comment on his future plans.

A grandmother in Louisiana, Roxanne Record, is currently on trial for first-degree murder, as prosecutors argue that she forced her young granddaughter to consume a deadly amount of whiskey as a form of punishment. The tragic incident has brought her to the courtroom, where she faces the grim allegations surrounding the death of four-year-old China Record.

In a somber courtroom scene, Record, aged 57, listened as prosecutors recounted the heartbreaking last moments of China’s life in April 2022. The prosecution alleges that the little girl was coerced into kneeling and drinking an entire bottle of Canadian Mist whiskey, while her mother, Kadjah Record, reportedly stood by without intervening.

Assistant District Attorney Dana Cummings, in her opening remarks, painted a picture of the relationship that typically exists between grandparents and their grandchildren. She emphasized that, unfortunately, this was not the reality for China. “China never had that because her grandmother never, ever took to her, never liked her, treated her differently than she treated the other children,” Cummings stated, according to reports by The Advocate.

Following the devastating events of that April, Roxanne Record was arrested, marking a shocking turn of events that has since led to her trial. The case, with its deeply troubling allegations, continues to unfold in the Baton Rouge courtroom, as the community grapples with the unsettling details surrounding China’s untimely death.

Roxanne Record, 57, was arrested in April 2022 following the death of her granddaughter China. (Baton Rouge Police Department)

Prosecutors alleged a “pattern of cruelty” inside the Baton Rouge home, saying China was so marginalized that her siblings were conditioned to believe the 4-year-old was “stealing” when she tried to access basic necessities like food and water.

Prosecutors said the punishment began when China took a single sip from a whiskey bottle left on a kitchen counter.

They allege Roxanne Record then forced the child to consume the rest of the 750ml bottle — approximately 1.6 pints of 80-proof liquor.

Kadjah Record, Roxanne’s daughter, is also charged with murder after watching Roxanne punish her toddler without intervening. (Baton Rouge Police Department)

First responders found the child unresponsive at the family’s Wallis Street home. An autopsy later revealed a blood alcohol content of 0.680 — more than eight times the legal limit for an adult driver.

The Baton Rouge Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

“She… just went on with daily life while she died,” Cummings told the jury.

The toddler was unresponsive when police officers first arrived on the scene and was pronounced dead two hours later. (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, defense attorney Caitlin Fowlkes countered that while China’s death was a “tragedy that nobody should have to endure,” it was also an accident.

She argued Record attempted to save the girl with CPR and said the state cannot prove the “specific intent” required for a first-degree murder conviction.

If convicted of first-degree murder, Roxanne Record faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The child’s mother, Kadjah Record, is also charged with murder and is expected to stand trial later this summer.

The Friars are resilient in the face of setbacks.

For nearly four years, the St. Anthony’s girls lacrosse team has been an unstoppable force on the field, notching up 51 consecutive victories. However, this impressive streak came to an unexpected halt in April when they faced an equally formidable opponent, a defeat the team is handling with grace and determination.

The top-ranked private school in the nation narrowly lost 10-9 in overtime against Darien, Conn., the leading public school team in the country. This surprising outcome was a rare experience for the Long Island team, which boasts 33 players committed to college programs.

“We definitely learn a lot more from a loss than a win,” shared Sophia Novelli, a senior captain and future Vanderbilt player, with The Post.

“We’ve taken those lessons into every practice, building on them and supporting each other,” added Novelli, a four-year varsity defender, who experienced her first team defeat since starting high school.

Although St. Anthony’s slid to third in USA Lacrosse’s national rankings, the top New York squad remains an obvious force to be reckoned with heading into playoff time. 

The Friars hunt for a sixth straight Catholic League title, which would be the program’s 26th overall.

As if they needed any more motivation for a six-peat. 

“It’s felt like a ‘Hard Knocks’ episode here,” head coach Darcy Messina, who owns a 45-1 record, said of the team with a massive chip on its shoulders. 

“Most of them had the eye of the tiger on their face when we were driving back from Connecticut that night. We had practice the next day, and I think that speaks for itself. We’re on to the next.”

Rise again

Messina, who also coaches Team USA’s under-15 team, isn’t downtrodden and has no interest in sending her bunch to confession after the historic loss.

She has one uplifting message heading into the last two weeks of the season: It’s a blessing to be here.

“We’re continuing to remind them how special this is … really implementing the mind, body and spirit that St Anthony’s has,” said Messina, a class of 2012 alum.

“This is the good stuff, and this is the fun stuff.”

The former Friar turned Florida Gator is always bringing the same energy she thrived on as a high schooler — even playing throwback tunes from her heyday, like the immaculate “Levels” by Avicii, to the Gen Zers. 

Messina passed on the “S.A. Way” mantra by keeping things light and forgiving. Her athletes need no reminder to leave it all out there every practice and game, as they know “you’re not going to get these days back.”

That overwhelmingly positive culture is why fellow captain and four-year varsity player Emma Speed took her talents to Wolf Hill Road in the first place.

“Everyone’s always there for each other, having each other’s backs,” said the attacker, who, like her coach, will play for the Gators next season.

Speed said the entire team has bought in to pick up the pieces and, ultimately, kick-start another ludicrously long win streak. 

“The loss sparked a fire underneath us. We all wanted to get better even more,” she added. 

“It was almost a little reality check. It was a learning opportunity for us and helped us grow. I feel like we got closer just from that.”

Say your prayers 

The Friars are ready to walk through hell and continue the redemption tour ahead of the playoffs.

They still must face teams fringing on the national top 25 — Cold Spring Harbor and Wilton, Conn., in addition to another Constitution State juggernaut, New Canaan, and more in-league play.

“We’ve got a target on our backs,” said Messina, who is eager to rematch Darien in 2027.

“I’m sure a lot of people had stuff to say about us losing as well.” 

The game plan is to politely silence any armchair critics, then it’s off to crusade for a Catholic League title and end on the ultimate high note.

“It would mean everything to me,” Novelli said.

“It’s such a privilege to wear this jersey, so I think it’d be amazing to cap it off by winning out.”